Polls show record disapproval for U.S. President Barack Obama

A Fox News poll suggests widespread disapproval in President Obama's policies and his handling of the economy, an alarm clock for his campaign.

Immediately after Republican Rick Santorum pulled out of the Republican primary race, Mitt Romney has jumped ahead of President Barack Obama, according to a Fox News poll.

However, more disturbing for the Obama camp are the President’s poll numbers on the economy, the direction the country is headed and his job approval.

A new Washington Post ABC poll shows 50 percent disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job while 46 percent approve. More telling, 39 percent “strongly” disapprove with Obama’s job performance, a record number of highly negative views.

However the President fared even worse on the economic front. A whopping 59 percent majority gave Obama thumbs down on his handling of the economy in the poll taken on March 12, with 50 percent strongly disapproving of his performance. The economy has been the most important issue in the coming election for some time according to most national polls.

Regarding the federal deficit, 63 percent disapprove of Obama’s performance, and 65 percent disapprove of his handling of gas prices. Most Americans say he could do more to affect the price of gas at the pumps, according to the poll.

Americans are near evenly split concerning Obama’s handling of the war in Afghanistan with 47 percent registering their disapproval and 46 percent approving in the poll.

The survey also revealed a 48-to-38 percent deficit for the President on his handling of energy policy.

When asked if they believe we are in an economic recovery, 49 percent say the country is not in an economic recovery at all, 49 percent say it is and 2 percent had no opinion.

When asked if they approve of the Affordable Healthcare Act, Mr. Obama’s signature legislative achievement, 52 percent indicated they oppose it and 41 percent approve.

According to a Fox News poll taken Monday through Wednesday, Mitt Romney has opened up a lead of 46 percent to 44 percent over the incumbent president including a 43-to-37 percent advantage among self-identified independents. Last month, independents were evenly split at 40 percent each in this poll.